Placer courts close nearly all services to help stop threat of coronavirus spread
Placer Superior Court is shutting down all but its most critical functions, court officials announced Friday. Placer is among the latest in a wave of trial courts across the state closing doors in response to the threat of the new coronavirus and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s statewide stay-at-home order.
The shutdown goes into effect Monday, but felony and misdemeanor cases where the defendant is in criminal custody; out-of-custody arraignments, preliminary hearings and trials; and cases involving sex crimes will go as scheduled.
Juvenile matters will also be heard, though the court’s juvenile courthouse in Auburn will open only when matters are set on the calendar, officials said. Civil and domestic violence restraining orders will also be processed.
Court clerks’ offices at Roseville’s Howard G. Gibson Courthouse and at Tahoe City Courthouse in Tahoe City remain open.
No jury trials are set in the Placer courts through March 27.
Earlier in the week, Placer courts officials ordered the historic Auburn courthouse closed and strongly discouraged the public from visiting the remaining courthouses but for official court business.
.JPG)